QUOTE ON INTRODUCTION

 

“God needs no introduction because He already introduced Himself in some form to all. What we believe about Him controls everything we do, good or bad. Hint: wrong beliefs produce wrong actions.”

– Dr. Ezra Aniebue

 

The current state of the world and the church demonstrate that they neither understand leadership from GOD’S perspective. Both the church and the world are plagued with leaders who are sincerely wrong with deeply seated passions, purposes, and anti-GOD plans and world views. Not only are most of today’s leaders unbiblical in their views and policies, they are also very passionate that their causes and actions are appropriate, modern, and justified in their own eyes. Alas, our question is, who and what do we blame for calling evil good and good evil?

 

The answer lies in the beliefs and the belief systems of the leaders, secular and religious. Beliefs are the ideas that an individual holds to be true. Every person has fundamental beliefs, which influence how they look at life and how they behave and relate to others. A leader who embraces GOD will find that every aspect of their life will change when GOD’S principles are added to their decision-making process. (2 Cor. 5:16,17). Leaders who are not GOD-centered think that GOD only belongs in the church on Sunday mornings. This type of mentality leaves GOD out of board rooms and brings the devil front and center to craft and execute un-GODLY policies, rules, and regulations worldwide. Leaders who exclude GOD in their lives and leadership are prone to the following thought pattern and belief systems:

 

• GOD, if HE exists at all, is just an impersonal, moral force.
• There are no absolute moral values.
• Man has the capacity within himself to improve morally and make the right                           choices.
• Happiness consists of unlimited material acquisition for personal fame.
• There is no objective basis for right and wrong.
• If a person lives a “good life,” then eternal destiny is assured.
• The Bible is nothing other than an old out-of-touch book written by men.
• The church is filled with weak and poor people who always need help.

Modern, secular man is self-centered. He considers fulfilling his own needs and desires as his prime motive in life. He has little or no tolerance for what he believes limits his freedom. He resists anything that limits his limitless desires. Leaders with secular mindsets are deceived, making it difficult for them to change and turn to GOD. The message of the Gospel makes little or no sense to them until their false beliefs are challenged, changed, and brought into accord with the Bible, the Word of GOD.

 

Our task is to help leaders develop biblically sound Christian mindsets, in order for them to have the mind of Christ—a Christ-centered worldview. So, in targeting this topic, Statement of Faith, we are saying:

 

• The problem in leadership starts with wrong beliefs and wrong thinking, which leads to wrong decisions and actions.

 

• Many pastors do not make time to study what they believe; they simply follow the crowd and mostly do whatever it takes to retain their church members and build up their ministries

 

• Many Christians have never had a Bible study on what their pastor and their church believe. As such, they don’t know exactly what they should believe and are easily swayed by popular culture and the unbiblical views from the world.

 

• The world sees that most in the church do not know what they believe; as such, they see the church wobbling around on issues with diverse views. This empowers the world to relegate the church as “non-essential” and powerless with no seat at the highest levels of leadership and decision-making tables worldwide. Since the church cannot take a stand because their leaders don’t know what they believe, the world empowers themselves to lead the church and tell her what to believe. Thank GOD that all hope is not lost because JESUS CHRIST promised in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church! Amen!

PROBLEM STATEMENT

 

The problem in the world today is from leaders with erroneous beliefs about GOD.

 

Beliefs influence attitudes, and both matter because wrong beliefs lead to bad leadership ideas and decisions which have devastating consequences. A leader is what he believes, and holds dear as truth. A change in beliefs produces a change in leadership attitude, which leads to a change in behavior, policies, rules and regulations that positively affect others.

 

Every leader believes one of the following three things about GOD:

 

• Leaders who are Atheist – believe that there is no GOD. This type of leaders have zero knowledge or fear of GOD in their policies and actions

 

• Leaders who are Agnostics – believe that it is impossible to know Imagine for a second being ruled by a leader with no personal relationship with GOD. This type of leaders practice “situational ethics,” they decide what is right or wrong based on how they feel and    whatever they choose and prefer – truth is relative.

 

• Leaders who are Theist – believe that there is a GOD. This is good but can be complex because different world religions believe in the existence of different gods who are by no means the MOST HIGH Many nations are currently in chaos and the world at large is under siege because some leaders believe in a GOD that instructs them to kill everyone that does not agree with their religion, beliefs or world views.

 

The scope of the problem that we seek to solve is the wrong beliefs and pervasive ignorance in the Body of CHRIST on sound biblical statement of faith.

OUR VISION

 

To train and empower pastors, Christians and Christian leaders to develop a God-fearing world view and avoid error by establishing their lives and ministries on biblical sound doctrine. Leaders and their followers must start studying, knowing and understanding what they believe about GOD (Statement of Faith) because it formulates their decisions and view of the universe.

MISSION

We seek to accomplish our vision by providing a sample statement of faith with corresponding Bible study for pastors and Christians. Participants are encouraged to study the materials, then take and pass the exams in order to receive the ULS SOUND DOCTRINE CERTIFICATE ON STATEMENT OF FAITH.

PURPOSE OF STATEMENT OF FAITH

 

It is the purpose of this Statement of Faith and message to set forth certain teachings that Christians should believe and practice and that pastors should believe, live and teach. The sole authority for Christian faith and practice is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible, the written Word of GOD is the unchanging foundation of Christianity. We affirm, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8, NKJV). A Sound Biblical Statement of Faith is comprised of religious convictions, drawn from the Scriptures, the Bible.

We profess a living faith. This faith is rooted and grounded in JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, the sole authority for faith and practice in Christianity is JESUS CHRIST whose will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 3:11.

 

Because the Bible is without error and is complete, it produces an ever-living faith and has timeless relevance and essential truths that applies to all generations of humanity (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is always relevant and always essential. As mere humans, we have a growing understanding of biblical truth and must continually interpret the Bible with the Bible in the proper Biblical contexts relating the Bible to the needs of each new generation. The Bible does not change, it is unchanging and is the foundation of Christian faith forever.

 

This Bible study should not be regarded as the complete statements of Christian Faith but as a guide that helps in pointing leaders, pastors and Christians to GOD through JESUS CHRIST.

 

This Lecture Note is not a comprehensive work on every detail a church or a Christian should believe. It is only an introductory note, and a free handout used for the sole purpose of training pastors and Christians. All the Glory goes to GOD.

CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

We give credits to VNTFI for sharing the Baptist statement of faith, Dr. Soul Aniebue for her editorial assistance, Dr. Paul King for his literary contributions, and the ULS staff who assisted in compiling a few materials. This Bible study and Lecture Note is not for sale. No fees are charged for the teaching and sharing of this material. All scriptures used are the NKJV except otherwise indicated. All compiled resources used are for free non-profit educational and personal studies basis. There is no monetization and no copyright infringement intended.

 

Peace and kindness,

Drs. Ezra & Soul Aniebue,

ULS President.

Email: president@uls.education

PART I:

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP BIBLE STUDY LESSONS ON  STATEMENT OF FAITH